On July 2, a small plane crash at a golf course near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, resulted in the tragic loss of five lives.

The disaster struck at around 11:00am in the woodland area to the north of the Barefoot Resort and Golf Club. The downed aircraft, a single-engine Piper PA-32, was carrying five people at the time of the crash, according to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) statement. It crashed one minute after take-off from Grand Strand Airport, according to the Horry County coroner.

Killed were the pilot and owner of the plane, Dr. Joseph Farnese, 66, an FAA-certified medical examiner, Tanique Cheu, 32, Cheu’s son, Sean Gardner, 7, Odaycia Edwards, 17, who died at the scene, and Suzette Coleman-Edwards, 42, Odaycia’s mother, who died at the hospital. All were from New Jersey and the four passengers had next-of-kin in Jamaica.

Bystanders shared images and videos on social media platforms showing smoke billowing from the crash site near the exclusive Barefoot Landing region of the golf course. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board have initiated an investigation into the crash, confirmed local officials.

Upon receiving a distress call at around 11:18 am, North Myrtle Beach fire and police departments quickly responded, reaching the crash site to find the plane completely engulfed in flames. They worked immediately to control the fire. However, four individuals were found dead at the scene, while one person was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and passed away from her injuries.

A witness at the scene, waiting at a red traffic light, recounted the plane spiraling out of control before being enveloped in smoke.

The cause of the crash is currently unknown, and it has not been confirmed whether the pilot had raised any concerns or reported any issues prior to the crash.